EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Former Highland Park standout Isaiah Pedack commits to ULM

Everyone's path to the next chapter is different, but that doesn't mean there's any specific path that's wrong. For former Highland Park stand-out Isaiah Pedack, his path to next-level football has been anything but a walk in the park. Having to work for and fight for his dreams every step of the way, Pedack has remained focused on being the best athlete and person on and off the field. After a recent family event caused Pedack to de-commit from Florida A&M University, Pedack found a home with the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks squad. VYPE was able to catch up with Pedack regarding his decision.

At Highland Park, Pedack was a standout defensive player where he played an integral role in helping lead the Scots to three UIL State Championship victories. Pedack was honored to be named as a First-Team All-District Lineman before heading off to ACU. At ACU, Pedack was redshirted, but made the travel team and played in three games before heading to a junior college-- Cisco College. At Cisco College, Pedack recorded 40 tackles (eight for a loss), 39 assists, and one sack. As he prepares to head off to play in Louisiana, VYPE caught up with him to discuss his time in college football so far:

You were a standout at Highland Park and helped play a key role in contributing to multiple championships, what would you say is your favorite memory from the Scots' football program?
"My favorite memory from playing for Highland Park was beating Frisco Lone Star my senior year. It was a great win and was very satisfying because the previous year we had lost to them when Marvin Mims was on the team and they took us out of playoffs. Certainly felt good to return the favor."

What have been your biggest takeaways from playing at ACU and Cisco College?
"Out of high school, I played for the Division One FCS Abilene Christian University. I was fortunate enough to make the travel squad and suited up every game as a freshman-, play in three games, and keep my redshirt. My biggest takeaway from playing at ACU was that at the D1 level, it's detrimental to your career to minimize any sort of procrastination. The workload is huge and when we had time off, coach told us we should be doing one of two things: either hanging out with our teammates continuously strengthening our bond between each other or working on recovery-- whether that be nutrition, stretching, or rest. If you want to be a successful team, you need to do these things. I took that with me to Cisco as well."

What one piece of advice do you carry with you as you practice and head into games?
"Don't overthink too much... it's okay to be nervous when playing in big games, but a great athlete will channel these feelings into aggression and focus that helps excel your level of play."

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
"My collegiate football career has had some bumps in the road-- whether it's from factors back home I have to worry about or me getting in my own way by not handling business the way I should, but I would say my biggest accomplishment has been sticking to my dream even when I left ACU. I could have quit football and given up on my dream, but I decided to go the JUCO route. If you know anything about JUCO football, you know it's no easy task. JUCO football is grimy, rough, and dirty; there is very little glory, but if you put your nose down and grind, then you come out with better opportunities than you had before. This is exactly what I did and I am proud to be a JUCO product; a D1 bounceback leaving junior college with 11 full scholarship division one offers."

Tell me a little bit about committing to ULM. What impacted this decision? What made you choose ULM?
"ULM is a Division One FBS program which, divisionally, is the highest level of collegiate football. So, that was a big factor: me wanting to play against the best of the best and prove that I can hold my own and compete well at this level. On top of that, they have coaches on the staff-- specifically Coach Vic Koenning-- who are in it for the betterment of the players and will take no shortcut or participate in anything that could negatively impact one of their players. It is very refreshing and I greatly respect that sort of character; it's exactly the type of coach I get excited to play for."

Who do you look up to and why?
"My number one inspiration is my dad. I've never met a more humble, selfless, and hardworking person in my life. I strive to be a successful man and make my father proud. I do it through hard work that I learned from watching him. My dad always puts his family over himself, will do anything, and sacrifice everything to care for me and my siblings. I could not ask for a better father and I strive to be the type of man he is one day: a God-fearing man who does everything with 100% effort and a positive attitude. To be the salt in the world that Jesus Christ calls on us to be."

Do you have a game day routine that you typically follow?
"No specific routine, but a couple of things I have to do before every game is take a warm shower to loosen up and when I do step on the field, I have to plant my bare feet onto whatever field we are playing on. I pray to God for strength, speed, agility, invincibility, and play-making ability."

What is your mindset as you prepare to go into your first Division One FBS season?
"My mindset is to take advantage of every resource they give to us in order to get into peak physical condition and dominate to the best of my ability."

What are your goals this season?
"My goals for the season are to be named a starter on the defense and become a leader on the field."